What Does “Born Again” Mean?, Robert Sproul, ed. La Rochelle
“No one enters this world having already been brought into the Kingdom of God,” and there is no middle ground between being spiritually dead or spiritually alive. Theologian Robert Sproul (1939-2017) thus launches the theme of this short work focused on conversion, illustrated by numerous episodes from his personal and pastoral life. It describes a regeneration that is only the beginning of a new life, where the son of God starts from a state of “spiritual baby” to tend towards an increasingly coherent character in his relationship with him and in his fight against sin. A regeneration that is also permanent since, according to the author, the fall of the Christian, like that of Peter, is never total or definitive. Little more: the reader does not need to open the Bible to enter the content.
Charlotte Moulin
What Can We Know About God?, Robert Sproul, ed. La Rochelle
A few months later, Robert Sproul picked up his pen to answer another question: “What can we know about God?” (also published this year by La Rochelle editions).
This book is also short, but the reader’s interest in linguistics and theology will facilitate the approach, which is very theoretical. “God speaks to us on our terms and in our own language.” The author then intends to question, for example, what the pictorial language of the Bible conveys about the nature and personality of God, invisible. What it is, what it is not, its self-existence, its absolute ethical excellence, the qualities it communicates and those that only it possesses. He also stresses God’s active participation in this world and in the believer’s life.
Charlotte Moulin
It is his love, Jean-Jacques Trézères, ed. believe and read
This work is a collection of sixteen poems on the theme of God’s love manifested in Jesus. These biblically inspired verses can nourish worship and prayer. Beautiful illustrations by Marc and Marie-Laure Rosny accompany the texts as well as biblical verses.
After the poetry, there is a place for the testimonies, first of the author, then of the illustrators, who share with the readers their life journeys and how poetry or pictorial expression can express faith and speak of the infinite richness of God’s love .
“Our last resource, our vital necessity, is really love, it is fundamental. The love that knows how to wait, because it is patient. The love that gives grace to the repentant sinner.”
Noemie Metreau
For the gaps, Emeline Ferron, ed. shared treasures
This text is a parable whose words, steeped in poetry and hope, speak of brokenness and restoration in Jesus. What to do with a vase that falls, breaks and whose sharp pieces only serve to throw them? To get rid of? No. The teacher comes forward, takes them one by one, joins them, sticks them… Words that speak to the heart and that will know how to touch and comfort those who experience –or have experienced– a painful wound in their lives. . The author also illustrated this little book.
Noemie Metreau
I, ordinary mother-in-law, Sarah Schöpperlé, ed. Deer
When Sarah Schöpperlé married Sébastien, he was divorced and already had a daughter, Victoria. In this book-testimony, the author shares her life journey as a wife and mother-in-law. She first directs her story to mothers-in-law and fathers-in-law to encourage them and help them avoid certain pitfalls she has been through.
She also writes for all those who work with blended families, so that they can provide better support and assistance to families in need. Sarah Schöpperlé confides in her relationship with her daughter-in-law, which was not always obvious. Over time, he says that he found her paper with her. “This is how I see my role as ‘parents’ relay’, I help her overcome her difficulties, I encourage her in her abilities and I value her in what she makes of herself. I keep telling her that she has courage, great skills and that she will be able to do great things. I see myself as the one who sows accepting not to control everything and I trust God for what is out of my reach. The author then offers other testimonials from women who are also experiencing blended families and their challenges. She tackles sensitive topics such as joint custody and legal issues, legitimate authority as a stepfather, or integration into the family.
Noemie Metreau
Is God Guilty of Genocide?, Melvin Tinker, ed. Wrench
“Massacres in the Old Testament”. The subtitle sets the tone and shows that the author is ready to answer an eminently dark and sensitive question, even if it means shocking some people. Like a counter-investigation or a lawyer’s plea that puts the evidence and incriminating elements in context, this book sheds light on the character of a God in the dock who hates evil and responds with judgment. A good God by nature but also healthy. This divine love would be compatible with a divine anger, like Christ with the merchants of the temple, assures the author. God he loves would be incapable of indifference. Faced with accusations of ethnic cleansing, Melvin Tinker suggests “punitive” legal action on God’s part against the Canaanites and “purifiers”, in order, as John Stott said, quoted by the author, to protect the people of God, the recipient of his special revelation. If the reading is somewhat disturbing, it allows us to reflect on the meaning of these massacres ordered by God during the conquest of the Promised Land and the installation of the people of Israel, from whom Jesus will be born. The Cross is the fulfillment of this conquest. Through her is manifested the most horrible and magnificent example of the wrath of God.
David Metreau
Christianity today