Every good book or movie or TV series ends with closure for the characters. After so many years, Rachel and Ross finally got together. After so many doubts, Chandler finally accepts he is going to be a father. But the Bible does not give us such closures. What happened to Peter? He just disappears halfway through Acts. What happens to Paul? We left him in house arrest. We expect to turn the page to find out what happens next and it just ends like a canceled Netflix series. Hi, my name is Terence...
Dec 10, 2023•22 min•Ep. 88
Evangelism. The Great Commission is so important which is why people get upset when it's done differently or wrongly or not according to what the Bible teaches. Sovereignty of God. Arguably the greatest of all the great doctrines. And people do argue about it, what it means and how it changes our lives. Put Evangelism and Sovereignty of God together and it's like the fusion of two atoms. You get a tremendous release of energy that can either power up or destroy your faith. Hi, my name is Terence...
Nov 26, 2023•28 min•Ep. 87
In every church you will hear that the most important thing is discipleship. "Get discipleship right, and you get everything else right", "Christians are disciples of Jesus" and so on. Is discipleship a trending buzzword or is it rooted in Scripture? 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 Message of Discipleship: Authentic Followers of Jesus in Today's World" by Peter Morden. 276 pages, published by ...
Nov 09, 2023•31 min•Ep. 86
While others collect seashells, I collect interpretations. And I seem to have a growing collection of interpretations on Romans. And today's book offers a different definition of righteousness, a different understanding of election and more. 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 commentary on Romans from the Interpretation Bible Commentary series written by Paul J. Achtemeier. 256 pages, published by W...
Oct 31, 2023•33 min•Ep. 85
If you need a guide to navigate through mental illness for yourself or someone you know. Today's book is for you. 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 Christian's Guide to Mental Illness: Answers to 30 Common Questions" by David Murray and Tom Karel Jr. 256 pages, published by Crossway in September 2023. Available in Amazon for USD21.99. I got a free review copy from Crossway. Crossway has no input o...
Oct 22, 2023•29 min•Ep. 84
9/11 was a singular event. For a moment it united America like nothing else did. It shaped America in politics, war and religion. Today's book was written within a year of the event. Now 20 years later, are the words written for America then helpful for all Christians today? 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 "When Worlds Collide: Where is God?" by R.C. Sproul. 96 pages, published by Crossway in Septe...
Sep 28, 2023•31 min•Ep. 83
Do you know what are the Doctrines of Grace? If you are not a Calvinist, you might fumble and try to recall your pastor's sermon on grace. If you are a Calvinist, the Doctrines of Grace means something specific. Whether you are a Calvinist or not, this book has something to offer, and today's episode will give you one tidbit to take home. 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 Doctrines of Grace: Redi...
Sep 24, 2023•38 min•Ep. 82
Have you read those letters from John? He seems to repeat himself over and over again, love, truth, love, truth. Is it because he is old and can't remember what he just said or wrote? Or maybe, there is something deeper here that I don't get. It would be nice if someone could help me get into the meaning, help me understand the context so that I can apply it in my own life. 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 ...
Sep 10, 2023•34 min•Ep. 81
When you read the Book of Acts, you can't help but think, "Why isn't the church today like that?" Well, maybe it can and it should. 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 Book of Acts: A Commentary" by C. Peter Wagner. 526 pages, published by Regal Publishers in 2008. It's available in Amazon Kindle for USD16.99 but it was available for free, some time ago via Logos.com . C. Peter Wagner was a Fuller...
Aug 20, 2023•36 min•Ep. 80
If ever there was a category called the Theologian's Favourite Mystery Novelist, a serious contender would be Dorothy Sayers for her Lord Peter Wimsey series. 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 Lord Peter Wimsey series by Dorothy Sayers. All 11 books reviewed in one episode. The first book, "Whose Body?" was published in 1923. That's 100 years ago. The widespread acclaim led to more and more books...
Aug 06, 2023•31 min•Ep. 79
I know that Christ saved me. That happened 10, 20, 30 years ago. I know that Christ will save me. That may happen tomorrow, next year, or the next millennia. What I need to know is Christ is with me now. And he is because Jesus declared, "I AM". How do these two words, "I AM", assure us of his presence? 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 "He Walks with Me: Enjoying the Abiding Presence of God" by Warr...
Jul 23, 2023•23 min•Ep. 78
As you listen to my voice, how do you know the real you is not hooked up to a machine feeding reality into your brain? Or when you go to bed at night how do you know that the world did not switch off and that when you woke up, the world switched back on. Today, dead philosophers tell us what is and what is not. 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 "Consequences of Ideas: Understanding the Concepts that ...
Jul 09, 2023•23 min•Ep. 77
"When Christ calls a man, he bids him come and die." That chilling -- or is it sobering -- quote comes from Dietrich Bonhoeffer and today we will learn more about the man and more importantly, what he believes and why we must listen. 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 "Bonhoeffer Speaks Today: Following Jesus at All Costs" by Mark Devine. 192 pages, published by B&H Books in November 2005. It's av...
Jun 25, 2023•29 min•Ep. 76
The way we read the Bible can affect what we get from the Bible. And since there are five ways to read the Bible there are five ways to feast on what the Bible offers. Find out more in today's episode. 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 "Five Models of Scripture" by Mark Reasoner. 311 pages, published by Eerdmans in August 2021. It's available in Amazon Kindle for USD19.17 and it was free last month v...
Jun 05, 2023•28 min•Ep. 75
If you are a Christian, have you ever wondered how life would be if you chose to an Atheist or if you were born in a Muslim family? If you are not a Christian, what would change if you had embraced Jesus as Lord and Saviour? 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 "What's Your Worldview? An Interactive Approach to Life's Big Questions" by James N. Anderson. 112 pages. Published by Crossway in January 2014....
May 21, 2023•19 min•Ep. 74
The loudest alarm clock, the most inspiring motivation speaker, even a world-ending earthquake can do nothing to get a tired, overwhelmed, sad soul out of bed. What all of them can't do, a humble, gentle, book can. 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, "On Getting Out of Bed: The Burden and Gift of Living" by Alan O. Noble. 120 pages. Published by Inter-Varsity Press in April 2023. It's available in Ama...
May 07, 2023•23 min•Ep. 73
Do you know how to pray? In one of his books, A.W. Tozer wrote: Some of the churches now advertise courses on how to pray. How ridiculous! That is like giving a course on how to fall in love. And I got that quote from his book on prayer! How ridiculous! 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 "Prayer: Communing with God in Everything - Collected Insights from A.W. Tozer" compiled by W.L. Seaver. 224 pages,...
Apr 30, 2023•20 min•Ep. 72
Today, according to the BBC, "There are currently around three to four million podcasts internationally, but just over half of those have more than three episodes, with only 720,000 podcasts comprising more than 10 episodes." Well, not to brag, but the podcast you are listening to has 70 episodes and is today two years old! Hi, my name is Terence and I'm your host of Reading and Readers, a podcast where I review Christian books for you. But not today. Today we take a Behind the Scenes look at th...
Apr 19, 2023•22 min•Ep. 71
The Whole Gospel of Mark in a Single Verse. That's the title of Chapter 1 of today's book but it could just as well be the title for the whole book. Intrigued? Keep listening.
Apr 16, 2023•28 min•Ep. 70
After nearly two thousand years, finally the answer we have all been waiting for arrives. The question is, "What is Paul's thorn in the flesh?" And the answer is found in today's book. 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 "Paul's Thorn in the Flesh: New Clues for an Old Problem" by Kenneth Berding. 280 pages, published by Lexham Academic in February 2023. It's available in Amazon Kindle for USD19.99 and...
Mar 19, 2023•31 min•Ep. 69
A man comes home from work and flops on the coach. His children runs and jumps all over their father, but he remains motionless. His lovely wife comes over and asks, "Dead tired?" And the man says, "Dad tired." Fathers everywhere, how is fatherhood going for you? 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 "Dad Tired and Loving It: Stumbling Your Way to Spiritual Leadership" by Jerrad Lopes. 192 pages, publish...
Mar 10, 2023•25 min•Ep. 68
In a world that celebrates individuality and autonomy, too many of us struggle to form deep, meaningful relationships. Loneliness is the norm, rich friendships are rare, and the church is no exception. We long for real community but often don’t know how to get there. What will it take to develop healthy friendships? That's the description from today's book. 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 Sac...
Feb 19, 2023•36 min•Ep. 67
Before I became a Christian, I thought Christians were not free to have fun. After I became one, I've been having the fun of my life. Somehow, strangely, as a Christian I have freedom to have fun. And in today's book, the author brings out the funhouse mirror so that we can poke fun and laugh at ourselves. 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 Retreat: A lighthearted and humorous story about a soul ...
Feb 12, 2023•23 min•Ep. 66
The future King David is foreshadowed in the ending of the book of Ruth. Thousands of years later, a blind man calls out, "Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me." Who is David? Why is this name so important in the Bible and in my life and yours? Find out in today's book. 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 "After God's Own Heart: The Gospel according to David" by Mark J. Boda. 208 pages, published by P...
Jan 29, 2023•24 min•Ep. 65
What was the most important battle in history? Would you say a battle in Ancient Rome, or Ancient Egypt, or perhaps a battle in World War 1 or 2. What if I told you that the most important battle in history was a battle not fought with swords and spears or guns and tanks but it was a battle fought with words. The battle for the person of Jesus. 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 "For Us and Our Salvati...
Jan 22, 2023•32 min•Ep. 64
Do you love the Lord of the Rings? Doesn't everyone? Do you love Systematic Theology? Of course! Then today's book is perfect for you. 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 "Tolkien Dogmatics: Theology through Mythology with the Maker of Middle-earth" by Austin M. Freeman. 432 pages, published by Lexham Press in November 2022. It's available in Amazon Kindle for USD19.99 and Logos for USD23.99. I don't k...
Jan 08, 2023•37 min•Ep. 63
RR62 Draft Hi, my name is Terence and I'm your host for Reading and Readers, a podcast where I review Christian books for you except for today. Today, I ask the question, "How did I get here?" I look back at the books that I have reviewed that have influenced my worldview, my actions, my affections, my life. Not Best Books of 2022 This is not a best books of 2022 episode. I have not yet mastered the skill of ranking books. If forced to, I would choose Cur Deus Homo by Anselm of Canterbury becaus...
Dec 30, 2022•38 min•Ep. 62
Whoever subtitled this book, "Faithful, Flawed and Fruitful", said more than he knew. For he was not only describing the saints in this book, he was also describing the book itself. Hi, my name is Terence and I'm your host for Reading and Readers a podcast where I review Christian books for you. Today's episode is Part 2 of my review on John Piper's "27 Servants of Sovereign Joy: Faithful, Flawed and Fruitful." 1024 pages, published by Crossway in September 2022. This book is available in Amazon...
Dec 18, 2022•34 min•Ep. 61
If you were on a deserted island, what one book would you bring with you (other than the Bible)? Think about it, if it's only one book, it should be a big, big book cause you might be spending a long time on the island. Seeing that you will have no friends on the island, you should bring some spiritual friends. How about bringing exactly 27 spiritual friends? 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 "27 Ser...
Dec 04, 2022•33 min•Ep. 60
"Do you want to be possessed by a Spirit that is like Jesus -— a Spirit that is pure, gentle, sane, wise and loving?" That's a quote from A.W. Tozer. And if you want to take him up on his offer, 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. Today I review "The Counselor: Straight Talk about the Holy Spirit" by A.W. Tozer. 192 pages, published by Moody Publishers in May 2015. Available in Amazon Kindle for USD7....
Nov 20, 2022•33 min•Ep. 59
