"Persuasive Apologetics" (Jeffrey M. Robinson)

TITLE: Persuasive Apologetics: The Art of Handling Tough Questions Without Pushing People Away
AUTHOR: Jeffrey M. Robinson
PUBLISHER: Grand Rapids, MI: Kregel Academic, 2023, (152 pages).
 

Apologetics is not simply about facts or clever arguments. It has a lot to do with emotional sensitivity to the receiver. Like the age-old phrase, "People don't care how much we know until they know how much we care." In this book, the author's key point is that one needs to speak respectfully in order to persuade effectively. The mode and tone of communication matters because people matter. Instead of a typical comparative religion manner of argument, Robinson guides us through several levels of doing apologetics. One of the key reasons why people find apologetics difficult is because they lack anticipation of the objections thrown at them. Being able to explain our theological reasons is one thing. Responding in a manner that does not become combative is yet another. That calls for both self-examination and preparation. In self-examination, we are called to avoid positional pitfalls such as the "Church Curmudgeon" who does not care about the opposition. Neither should we go to the other extreme of compromise. In addition, we should not remain silent but need to be prepared to give an answer to anyone asking why we hope in Jesus. Anticipation also means understanding the worldviews the opposition might have. Many objections are often based on erroneous presuppositions. Dealing with these will help remove a major obstacle. Anticipation also means equipping, which is why Robinson gives an overview of various approaches one should learn of. From the abrasive classical methods to the use of Reformed Epistemology, there are many popular ways in which Christians tend to adopt primarily, at the risk of pushing biblical reasons to the secondary level. Respectable apologetics also means we learn to listen well without compromising our biblical faith. If there is one key point, it is the importance of biblical grounding for anyone who wants to do apologetics. 

"Eve Isn't Evil" (Julie Faith Parker)

TITLE: Eve Isn't Evil: Feminist Readings of the Bible to Upend Our Assumptions
AUTHOR: Julie Faith Parker
PUBLISHER: Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Academic, 2023, (224 pages).
 

Throughout the ages, biblical interpretations are often influenced by their respective cultural changes. Such changes involve situations like new archeological discoveries, philosophical inclinations, political alignments, social norms, and religious affiliations, just to name a few. Christians too have to constantly grapple between biblical faithfulness and cultural relevance. In this day and age, several movements have taken over mainstream cultural perceptions. Movements like Black Lives Matter, Feminism, #MeToo, etc. are becoming commonplace. As far as the Bible is concerned, there has been pushback against the patriarchal culture that was so predominant in the ancient texts.  Some modern interpreters are taking the bold step to fight against any form of interpretation that leads to modern justifications for male superiority. This book is written as a way to promote an alternative interpretation to conventional patriarchal ones. Author-Professor Julie Faith Parker offers this alternative to the "traditional (read: male-centered) eurocentric" approaches we can find in many libraries. Parker is aware of the negative connotations behind the word "feminist,"  so she carefully qualifies her use right from the beginning. Her intent is to help readers understand that there are broader alternatives to the traditional views of the patriarchal nature of the Bible. She does so on the basis of helping us increase our knowledge of the Bible, appreciating "cutting-edge scholarship," and forming a less judgmental spirit in interpretation. She demonstrates this by dealing with seven Old Testament texts and one New Testament passage. 

"Five Lies of Our Anti-Christian Age" (Rosaria Butterfield)

TITLE: Five Lies of Our Anti-Christian Age
AUTHOR: Rosaria Butterfield
PUBLISHER: Wheaton, IL: Crossway, 2023, (368 pages).
 

In a post-Christian world, speaking out against mainstream societal beliefs is becoming harder. In some cases, it is virtually impossible to speak out without becoming ostracized or persecuted for asserting biblical truth. Politicians wanting to be elected or re-elected often have to mirror the mainstream opinions about some of the most divisive issues of this age. Ongoing divisive issues include Abortion, liberal views on Sexuality,  Gender Bias, Women's roles, etc. Before anyone starts labeling the author with nasty labels, note that author Rosaria Butterfield writes with a specific audience in mind: "This book is for Christians not embarrassed by the Bible and its teaching on women’s roles and callings." She writes with conviction on what the Bible teaches. Her targets are not fellow humans per se but on how the devil is poisoning society with lies, in particular, lies that accelerate the anti-Christian mindset. Such mindset has emboldened extremists to threaten anyone holding on to a biblical standpoint with increasing hate, verbal abuse, and even violence. Instead of obeying the laws of God, humans are increasingly building a modern tower of Babel, one that defies biblical wisdom and challenges God's authority. Highlighting five lies in such an anti-Christian era, Butterfield boldly challenges the status quo that claims the following:

"Wake Up to Wonder" (Karen Wright Marsh)

TITLE: Wake Up to Wonder - 22 Invitations to Amazement in the Everyday
AUTHOR: Karen Wright Marsh
PUBLISHER: Grand Rapids, MI: Brazos Press, 2023, (208 pages).
 

There is a joke that talks about the three types of people in this world. The first type waits for things to happen. The second type makes things happen. The third type wonders what happened. The first type is the slacker. The second type is the planner. The third type is the ignorant. From a project management perspective, the joke is a fun way to inject urgency into the team. This book does not deal with project management per se. It is about discerning the exercise of faith, the relevance of hope, and the power of love. It might even encourage us to be the fourth type of person, a wakeful person in discernment about a time to wait, a time to work, and also a time to wonder. Instead of going it alone, author Karen Wright Marsh collects wisdom from 22 different sources of spiritual leaders on discernment. From Henri Nouwen, we learn how a man trapped in the cycle of busyness was able to discern his own identity through writing and conscientious reflection. Martin Luther reminds us of the gift of music to learn to sing our faith out loud. Thomas Merton's life of contemplation teaches us about cultivating prayer to become as natural as breathing. Hildegard Von Bingen points us toward personal healthcare to bring the body and soul to be in harmony. That involves deliberate food choices and health awareness. Margery Kempe shows us the simplicity of journeying spiritually by walking and thinking.

"Culture Making" (Andy Crouch, expanded edition)

TITLE: Culture Making: Recovering Our Creative Calling
AUTHOR: Andy Crouch
PUBLISHER: Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press, 2023, (320 pages).

Culture wars are nothing new. Whether outside or inside, there are different cultures that exist in many places. Organizations too possess a mixture of different cultures within themselves. In many Christian circles, one of the key catchphrases to depict our Christian witness was "cultural engagement." This is a strategy of bringing the gospel to the places where ordinary people are found. What actually is "cultural engagement?" The two extremes of cultural assimilation and cultural rejection are non-starters. Many might think that the solution lies somewhere between the two. Author Andy Crouch gives us a paradigm-shifting perspective to argue for creative culture-making.  This necessitates the introduction of "new vocabulary, a new story, and a new set of questions." Part One is an attempt to understand cultural vocabulary from a sociological perspective. This is essential because culture often means different things to different people. Crouch takes us through a historical survey of how culture changes with a particular focus on the interactions between Christianity and culture. One of the most intriguing discussions happened to be the way he interacts with the various methods of dealing with culture. He makes a distinction between "gestures and postures," the former a mere somewhat passive acknowledgment of the method compared to the latter which is a more active, default, or conscientious attitude. 

"Practicing Presence" (Joy Prouty)

TITLE: Practicing Presence: A Mother's Guide to Savoring Life through the Photos You're Already Taking
AUTHOR: Joy Prouty
PUBLISHER: Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Books, 2023, (pages).
 

It is a familiar sight. At a restaurant, prior to eating the food on the plate, people would bring out their phones to snap a picture. They would then post it on social media to tell the world about what they are eating. Almost everybody has a smartphone these days. Many have more than one due to the rapid technology upgrades and device depreciation. Instead of snapping the picture, posting it, and forgetting it, how about learning to take time to let the photos help us appreciate the little things in life? Not only can that provide a sense of relief in an emotionally fast-paced world, but it also offers some rest and respite for the body to heal. Using the camera as the main tool to capture meaningful moments, author Joy Prouty shares her journey of photography and how the photos enable her to savor life and affirm relationships. She shows us that we do not need to photoshop, crop, or manipulate faces just to appear perfect instead of real. She applies this orientation to herself by taking pictures as they are instead of posed. Take pictures without judgment. Any picture taken would then be considered one that contains something worth remembering. Authentic vs. artificial. Real vs. Posed. Actual vs. Perfect.

"Help for the Hungry Soul" (Kristen Wetherell)

TITLE: Help for the Hungry Soul: Eight Encouragements to Grow Your Appetite for God's Word
AUTHOR: Kristen Wetherell
PUBLISHER: Wheaton, IL: Crossway Publishers, 2023, (176 pages).
 

The Word of God nourishes our souls and fills our insatiable appetite for Truth. The Bible gives us God's Message to help us live toward righteousness in Christ. Like the Samaritan woman at the well, Jesus assures us that His Word is living water to the thirsty. Like the way He multiplied the loaves of bread and the fish, He provides for all our needs and satisfies the hungry. Yet, many of us choose to go hungry for all the wrong reasons. We feed on unhealthy food. We make poor choices. Worse, we ignore the good food that is readily available to us. How do we long for nutritious food? Author Kristen Wetherell gives us 8 ways to do just that. Calling it "Eight Encouragements," she shares about her own journey to fill her hungry soul. These ways are not methods or strategies but reasons to fill our souls with the Word of God. She asserts that we are "born hungry," and specifically, we are born to hunger for God. She writes for people especially believers who do not seem to have a desire for the Word of God.  She describes such people as those who are "not hungry enough to engage," "not sure what to do about it," and those who hunger for things other than God's Word. These eight encouragements are to:

"Lights a Lovely Mile" (Eugene Peterson)

TITLE: Lights a Lovely Mile: Collected Sermons of the Church Year
AUTHOR: Eugene Peterson
PUBLISHER: New York, NY: Waterbrook & Multnomah, 2023, (320 pages).
 

When was the last time you heard a good sermon? What is the purpose of the sermon? How do you preach through the Church year? In a title that tells us the way Eugene Peterson's sermons had done, we learn from the late master preacher, beloved pastor, and spiritual pilgrim, about how sermons can light a lovely mile for us. Culling from some of the best sermons preached at Christ Our King Presbyterian Church from his 29 years of service there, editor Paul Pastor has given us some collected sermons of the church year. Starting with Advent, which is also the start of a new Church Year, Peterson reminds us about the need to love our neighbour in the present even as we anticipate the second coming of Christ. Advent also symbolizes attentiveness and awareness of the presence of Christ in creation. At Christmas, we celebrate the "conclusion" which is the fulfillment of divine prophecy about the first coming. During the season of Epiphany, the focus shifts to being shaped in Christlikeness, in conjunction with the meditation on Jesus' ministry on earth. He urges us to trust in God's promise to make us new. Based on a growing relationship with Jesus, he urges us to be patient for sometimes the work of God is "slow, intricate, complex" but is also "sure." He also shows us how worship, love, and God's time shape life. He also gives a startling observation of how church-goers can sometimes prove to be careless stumbling blocks when they are petty or easily offended. Calling us to be runners who never stop believing in the goodness of God, he encourages us to help one another be more resilient in getting along well with one another. The Season of Lent prepares our hearts to crave holiness like a child wanting pure spiritual milk. Easter celebrates the resurrection of Christ. Pentecost celebrates the coming of the Holy Spirit and focuses on the birth and growth of the Church. Key to the growth and sustenance of any Church community is the need for love. Finally, the long season of "Ordinary Time" continues with the meditations on the Christian life, covering diverse issues from Church to righteous living, warnings about idolatry, and exhortations to be the Christlike believers that we are called to be. 

"Why Evangelical Theology Needs the Global Church" (Stephen T. Pardue)

TITLE: Why Evangelical Theology Needs the Global Church
AUTHOR: Stephen T. Pardue
PUBLISHER: Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Academic, 2023, (208 pages).
 

If one reads a typical newspaper in America, one would notice how skewed the mass media is toward American issues and perspectives. One might mistakenly assume that America is the world! The Church in the West also parallels this trend. A lot has been written about the Western Church. Relatively fewer talks about matters outside of the Western hemisphere. Sometimes it feels like all the experts happen to reside in the West. As the Church in the North-West continues to decline, churches in the  Southern and Eastern parts of the world are seeing remarkable revivals. In spite of this trend, many missionaries and ministry workers continue to be sent from the West to the East, and from the Northern Hemisphere to the South. One wonders, why then is the perception that the best professors and lecturers are from a place where the Church is declining and waning in influence? Perhaps, after zooming in on the Western influence for so long, it is time to zoom out into the wider world to gain a better perspective of reality. Based on his work and interactions with his Asian counterparts, Philippines-based Pardue helps us expand our minds beyond the West toward the global Church. He acknowledges the challenges that prevent the Western Church from learning from the rest of the world. These include the barriers of contexts, culture, language, philosophy, and theology. There are five theses in this book with regard to evangelical contextual theology. First, any evangelical contextual theology must be based on the authority of Scripture. Second, culture needs to be seen as a gift from God for the Church. Third, the ecclesiology of the Church should be a uniting factor for the diverse expressions of faith in the real world. Fourth, theology should incorporate Christian witness everywhere, both locally and globally. Fifth, the theology should engage the "Great Tradition of the Church." Each chapter will deal with a particular thesis and ends with a practical engagement with a global Church.  

"The Liberating Arts: Why We Need Liberal Arts Education" (Jeffrey Bilbro and Jessica Hooten Wilson, eds)

TITLE: The Liberating Arts: Why We Need Liberal Arts Education
AUTHOR: Jeffrey Bilbro and Jessica Hooten Wilson, eds
PUBLISHER: Walden, NY: Plough Publishing, 2023, (224 pages).
 

It is no secret that many of the world's most talented people choose the sciences instead of the arts. Just take a look at the richest people on earth such as Jeff Bezos, Elon Musk, or Bill Gates. They are both in the science and technology industry. In fact, many of the biggest companies in the world are in the technical stream, like AT&T, Amazon, Apple, FaceBook, Google, Microsoft, Samsung, Tesla, Toyota, TSMC, etc. With money as a key driving force in the world economic system, no wonder many talented people are lured away into the sciences in search of monetary gains. Does that render liberal arts education irrelevant? Even professors in the liberal arts stream struggle with job insecurity. This is made worse by lower student enrolment in the liberal arts. If all the best people jump ship toward the technology sector, what would happen to the arts and liberal arts? While we are free to pursue any course of study up the tree of self-fulfillment, how about using that freedom beyond self-accomplishment toward the greater good? This book brings together a collection of essays to show us why liberal arts education remains highly essential and relevant to society at large. Not only that, the contributors attempt to show us that it helps model the conversations that we ought to have on a daily basis. Instead of providing "best practices," the articles demonstrate how the liberal arts open up opportunities for all spheres of life. It is time to highlight the importance of liberal arts education and this book argues for that through many different perspectives. They deal with the purpose of liberal arts.

"More Than Things" (Paul Louis Metzger)

TITLE: More Than Things: A Personalist Ethics for a Throwaway Culture
AUTHOR: Paul Louis Metzger
PUBLISHER: Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press, 2023, (464 pages).

There is a worrying trend in society today. Socially, people are being reduced to statistics. Medically, the health and wellness of a person are defined by numbers displayed in life support systems. Individual identities are based on their social security numbers. In a paranoid environment about privacy, people give themselves anonymous avatars or reduce themselves to mere email addresses or Twitter handlers. Social media fame gets defined by the number of likes or viral streams. The list can easily apply to many facets of modern society. All of these come to the hilt when people start asking about who they are and why they exist. With a mixture of humour and seriousness, people might even be wondering if they are dealing with amber alerts about "Missing Persons." Author Paul Louis Metzger approaches ten "hot issues" with regard to the threat to personhood by arguing that these ten issues need to be constantly addressed with the maxim, "People are more than things."  Using his training as an ethicist, Metzger engages ethical theories with the ten issues to give us a moral compass to navigate from using things to appreciating persons. Before dealing with ethical issues, Metzger goes back to the fundamental truths about faith, hope, and hope. He reasons that a major cause for our focus on things is the onslaught of "cynicism, pessimism, and narcissism." The way to deal with these three impediments to human relationships is via the three core virtues of faith, hope, and love. Faith helps counter cynicism as it tries to navigate belief amid a culture of unbelief, largely because of a checkered past. Hope reminds us that we are made for more while things have limits. Love is the way we need to live in the present. In all these virtues, Metzger connects us to the Triune God who embodies timeless Truth and everlasting Faith, Hope, and Love. 

"Pastoral Identity: True Shepherds in the Household of Faith" (Douglas D. Webster)

TITLE: Pastoral Identity: True Shepherds in the Household of Faith
AUTHOR: Douglas D. Webster
PUBLISHER: Grand Rapids, MI: Kregel Ministry, 2023, (192 pages).
 

According to Barna research, the percentage of pastors considering quitting full-time ministry hovers around 42 percent. The pandemic only made it worse. Whatever the numbers, the trend is a worrying one. With enrolment at theological institutions down, and the rising attrition of pastors, churches continue to have a hard time hiring pastors. Perhaps, this is a symptom of a deeper problem, that the expectations of both churches and pastors are both misaligned. Author Douglas Webster recognizes the different expectations not only in the modern era but also through the ages. The one thing that is fundamentally important is the issue of identity. How do we understand the way pastoral leadership has changed? What kind of pastoral care is needed in a culture of nominal Christians? What if the gifts of the pastor do not match  the Church's expectations? 

In this book, Webster helps us wrestle with the differences of pastoral identity across two eras: Christendom and the modern household of faith. Thr former is based on religious tradition or Church denominational history (time-limited) while the latter on followers of Jesus who reflect the values of the gospel (timeless). Change has been happening even in the modern era. The challenge is to try to adapting gospel approaches to changing culture.

"World Religions in Seven Sentences" (Douglas Groothuis)

TITLE: World Religions in Seven Sentences
AUTHOR: Douglas Groothuis
PUBLISHER: Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press, 2023, (150 pages).
 

One common accusation against Christians is their lack of understanding of other religions. They wonder how Christians can accept Jesus as the Way, the Truth, and the Life when they have not explored the other religious angles. Is it fair to accept one without first considering the others? Plus, how could Christians relate to a person of another faith? How do we understand another faith perspective without misrepresenting them? This book is a resource to help promote better understanding in an increasingly pluralistic society. In a society that guarantees freedom of religion, it is crucial to be respectful of other beliefs. What better way than to get some basic understanding of others to facilitate goodwill and neighbourliness. For author Douglas Groothuis, this book is an attempt to equip us with a basic knowledge of the positions of seven common beliefs in our society. If we are to practice loving our neighbours, it would mean learning to be respectful of their beliefs in our civil interactions with them. Hopefully, that would translate into behaviours that display class and tact, without compromising the Christian faith. This is increasingly important due to the multireligious environments created by immigration, global movements, and connections via the Internet. Groothuis does this by addressing the central doctrines of each position and their versions of truth. He then responds from a Christian perspective.

"Composition as Conversation" (Heather M. Hoover)

TITLE: Composition as Conversation: Seven Virtues for Effective Writing
AUTHOR: Heather M. Hoover
PUBLISHER: Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Academic, 2023, (176 pages).
 

In general, there are four ways in which we can communicate. We can read and write. We can also hear and speak. All of these ways help us to better comprehend and converse with others. However, academic writing is a different beast altogether. It can be dry or downright boring. As the author points out: "academic writing should cultivate lively discussion and promote critical and creative thinking." How do we do that? Author-Professor Heather Hoover poses this to her students, whose feedback led to this book. The purpose is to utilize the power of words to inspire others. She highlights seven ways in which writing leads to "conversational virtues." She begins with the basic task to "Be Curious" by asking appropriate questions. These questions are often open-ended and need to demonstrate a genuine desire to want to connect with others. Asking good questions can help but its effectiveness can be limited. It requires a kind of asking that shows forth a genuine interest to hear the responses. Such a task requires some level of "humility, risk, and commitment." She lists various ways to help us build our vocabulary of interesting questions. The second virtue is that of attentiveness. She points out the difference between writing for writing's sake versus writing for others' sake.

"Beguiled by Beauty" (Wendy Farley)

TITLE: Beguiled by Beauty: Cultivating a Life of Contemplation and Compassion
AUTHOR: Wendy Farley
PUBLISHER: Louisville, KY: Westminster John Knox Press, 2023, (200 pages).
 

Modern versions of Christianity have been one of activism and various spiritual practices. Some even call for greater participation in social justice. The rush to do first without adequate contemplation can become a form of short-term gain without long-term benefits. Living in a busy world is already a hectic routine. With the evangelical fervor that pushes us to do more, no wonder Christians are in need of a vacation. Some might even need more such breaks. What if we could incorporate more regular retreats and opportunities for spiritual renewal? What if we could adopt a discipline of slowing down and being more contemplative in everything? More importantly, what if we could turn our contemplative activities into opportunities to behold God's work on earth and bless the community that we interact with? Before we can do that, we need to understand what contemplation is. This is how author Wendy Farley begins, by showing us the meaning and the reasons for contemplation. Beginning with an explanation of what contemplation is, she aims to help us cultivate this discipline in our everyday lives. She helps us "cultivate habits of wonder" as we become more aware of beauty and compassion. She defines the contemplative life as "a general attitude for integrating all the aspects of one's life into a spiritual whole."

"Nourishing Narratives" (Jennifer L. Holberg)

TITLE: Nourishing Narratives: The Power of Story to Shape Our Faith
AUTHOR: Jennifer L. Holberg
PUBLISHER: Downers Grove, IL: IVP Academic, 2023, (240 pages).
 

What is our story? Are they defined by highlights in our careers or are they tarnished by failures in our ventures? How do we tell our own stories? Which narrative should we share? Do we share inspiring ones or lament about the negative events in our lives? For author Jennifer Holberg, this book is about helping us share life-giving narratives of our lives. Readers also learn about paying close attention to the narratives of others, all for the purpose of sensing God's story in the larger world. We associate the names of people with memories of our encounters with them. We get a frank assessment of the popular use of testimonies, with the author questioning the stereotypes of the "Boring Testimony Syndrome" where believers are urged to share sensational conversion stories. The truth is, many of our personal narratives are complicated. We cannot and should not allow others to dictate our own narratives. Here, we learn to ask ourselves questions like:

• Why do I find it hard to share my personal stories?
• Why am I uncomfortable with my own narrative?
• What does the discomfort tell us about ourselves and our theology?
• Is the tension we feel need to go away or to be embraced?
• What is the essence of the story and how can I share it in such a way as to bless another person?

"Centering Discipleship" (E. K. Strawser)

TITLE: Centering Discipleship: A Pathway for Multiplying Spectators into Mature Disciples
AUTHOR: E. K. Strawser
PUBLISHER: Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press, 2023, (224 pages).
 

What is the difference between a regular Church and a Discipleship-Making Church? Of course, most churches will claim to be doing some form of discipleship. The difference lies in the emphasis. Is Discipleship the center focus or is it merely peripheral to the Church? Pastor-Author, Eun Strawser hits the jugular when she points out that most churches tend to put discipleship at the peripherals. By declaring that discipleship is the heart of the mission of the Church, Strawser shows us the way to turning the nominal Church into a discipleship-making Church. This book is about the way to move discipleship from the peripherals to the center of Church life. This calls for a transformation of the Church at all levels. First off, Strawser calls for a shift from programs to pathways, which is a framework for discipleship. This framework is about adopting a life abiding in Christ, to grow in building a discipleship-making community toward fruitful lives that beget others to do the same for Jesus. In brief, it is to do what we can to help others follow and imitate Jesus. The first part is about self-denial followed by some paradigm shifts. We learn the differences between fan vs follower. We learn the emphasis on imitating Christ instead of mere Sunday sermon instructions. The author gives us several differences between what discipleship is and what it is not. This helps us to clear up the foggy Church scene which often confuses actual discipleship with Church activities. We learn about the marks of a mature disciple, which focuses on character, theology, wisdom, and missional living. 

"How to Read and Understand the Psalms" (Bruce K. Waltke and Fred G. Zaspel)

TITLE: How to Read and Understand the Psalms
AUTHOR: Bruce K. Waltke and Fred G. Zaspel
PUBLISHER: Wheaton, IL: Crossway Publishers, 2023, (608 pages).
 

The Psalms is the most if not one of the most beloved books in the Bible. Many preachers love to preach from the Psalms. Containing a rich compendium of praise, poetry, prayer, theology, and worship, many people identify deeply with the Psalms as they go through the ups and downs of life. Many New Testament writers have also referenced the Psalms. The Psalms have inspired many songs. They are the official Prayer Book of the Jews. They teach us how to pray. They encourage us to be completely honest with God. The five major sections of the Psalms parallel the Pentateuch. In that sense, they mark out a brief history of Israel. While it is one thing to read and cherish the Psalms, interpreting and preaching on it can be tough. That is why it is also one of the most difficult to understand. The intent of this book is to equip readers, preachers, and laypersons with some fundamental skills in reading and understanding the Psalms. The content is mostly credited to the highly respected Dr. Bruce Waltke, who has spent the bulk of his life as an Old Testament scholar. In this book, readers are treated to a rich collection of fundamental tips to remember when reading the Psalms. Covering many important segments of the 150 Psalms, we learn about the Psalter in broad terms. We learn the different interpretive frameworks for understanding the Psalms. this is in line with the type of psalms. While many people would follow the Psalms in a chronological manner, or refer to them by their psalm numerical notations, there is a better way to interpret the Psalms. That is via the nature of the psalm concerned. For instance, there are the didactic psalms (of instruction), those that instruct us on the righteous way of life. There are various forms of praise psalms that teach us the power of worship. There are the psalms of trust which inspire us to be assured in the promises of God. There are also the lament psalms that show us how much God understands our human conditions. There are the royal psalms of David as well as the Psalms of Ascents which are also pilgrimage psalms. Apart from the genre concerned, there are the superscripts and postscripts that tell us about the composition and intent of the psalm.