Nathan's Book Club

  How long is Mental Health and Your Church ? Mental Health and Your Church is 188 pages long. Is Mental Health and Your Church easy to read? This is a very straightforward book to read considering the topic. Firstly, the printed text is presented pleasantly. Secondly, it is divided nicely into even and well-structured chapters. Thirdly, the authors completely minimise any technical language. What will I get out of reading Mental Health and Your Church ? To condense the authors’ own afterword: ‘It is our conviction that the calling to care is for the whole congregation of God’s people, and not just pastoral professionals or specialists. This book won’t equip you for every situation, but we do hope it will encourage some to move toward those who struggle when previously you might have moved away.’ The first section of the book is all about understanding. In particular, what mental illness is, and how we can understand the world of mental health from a Christian perspecti...

  How long is God’s Gift to Wales ? God’s Gift to Wales is 62 pages long. How easy is God’s Gift to Wales to read? I read this book in 2 sittings. It’s short and simple. Thomas is easy to read because of his conversational style. What will I get out of reading God’s Gift to Wales ? As with my last review on No Difficulty with God, God’s Gift to Wales is a snapshot biography of the life and work of Thomas Charles (1755-1814). This book is even more of a snapshot as it is half the length of No Difficulties with God. Again, as with the last book, Thomas Charles is always worth reading about. Though short, all the things I already knew and loved about him continue to shine through, such as his work, his character, and his profound writing. Is God’s Gift to Wales good? It’s difficult to review this book by itself having just read a more detailed biography of Thomas Charles. That said, I particularly enjoyed Thomas’ writing style and probably preferred it to Davies’. All ...

How long is No Difficulties with God ? No Difficulties with God is 149 pages long. How easy is No Difficulties with God to read? Eryl Davies has a very clear and straightforward writing style. The chapters are short and even divided into sub chapters. I got through this book within a couple of weeks and could have finished it even sooner. What will I get out of reading No Difficulties with God ? No Difficulties with God is a snapshot biography of the life and work of Thomas Charles (1755-1814). Thomas Charles of Bala was described as ‘the Lord’s gift not only to the whole Wales, and not only to the whole of Great Britain but also to other countries and nations afar off.’ By God’s grace, he deserved this high praise. Charles was a prolific preacher, promoted the translation of the Bible into native tongues, and continued the practice of circulating schools which provided Welsh language and Bible education to so many in Wales. Thomas Charles was an amazingly godly man wh...

This is a different sort of book review. I recently had to write an essay on a significant contributor to the eighteenth-century revival in England and beyond. With my ties to Huntingdon Hall in Worcester, I chose Lady Selena Hastings, Countess of Huntingdon. Below is an abridged version of that essay which I hope you will find useful. What contribution did Selina, Countess of Huntingdon, make to the Evangelical Awakening in England? What can we learn from her about how to serve God in our day however different it may be? Introduction and conversion          Selina Hastings (1707-1791) was born into wealth and aristocracy. Aged 21, she married Theophilus Hastings, the 9 th Earl of Huntingdon, thus becoming the Countess of Huntingdon. Selina’s conversion was a long and unpleasant journey. At the age of 9, Selina witnessed the funeral pyre of a girl her own age. From then until her early 30s, Selina grappled with disillusionment amidst the prevalence of death in ...

How long is The Meaning of Marriage ? The Meaning of Marriage is 244 pages long. How easy is The Meaning of Marriage to read? This book is not difficult to read, the Kellers write clearly, humourously, and applicably. That said, it is an extremely challenging book to read because it is so thought-provoking and convicting. The chapters are quite long but each chapter is broken down into sub chapters that are no longer than 4 pages, so it is easy to pick up and put down as need be. What will I get out of reading The Meaning of Marriage ? This book is jam packed full of inspiring biblical wisdom on marriage with lots of personal illustrations and application. The first half of the book looks at the source of marriage: it’s power, essence, and mission from our Creator. The second half of the book looks at the practicalities of Christian marriage: gender differences, gender roles, sex, and others. This is not a book just for married people. The Kellers’ introduction include...

How long is Selina, Countess of Huntingdon ? This in-depth biography is 422 pages plus appendices. How easy is Selina, Countess of Huntingdon to read? Well defined chapters and a sensible writing style make this book straightforward to read. The length will challenge some though, such as myself. Quotes from eighteenth century writings aren’t always easy to understand but are far from impossible to interpret. What will I get out of reading Selina, Countess of Huntingdon ? Selina Hastings (1707-1791) was the Countess of Huntingdon for most of the eighteenth century. She was dramatically and miraculously converted to the Christian faith in her early thirties, and immediately sought to use her wealth and influence to spread the gospel throughout the UK and Ireland.  Faith Cook’s fantastic biography tells Selina’s remarkable story. The Countess was an exceptionally godly lady from whom we could all learn a lot, and her impact on British history for the sake of the gospel is...

How long is Intentional ? Intentional is only 90 pages long. How easy is Intentional to read? Intentional is a very straightforward read. Most chapters are only 5 pages long and Williams writes very accessibly: lots of illustrations, to the point, and no unnecessarily complex vocabulary. What will I get out of reading Intentional ? You could easily label intentional as a guide to Evangelism; Williams’ wisdom is so accessibly and practically laid out. But Intentional is far more than just a practical guide because Williams effortlessly weaves in the Biblical heart behind everything he says, leaving you feeling spiritually driven and prepared. Is Intentional good? Intentional is very very good. I really do think this book is a must read. Evangelism is a necessity for all believers and Williams answers every question and fear we may have on this topic in this short, immensely practical, easily understandable, deeply spiritual, and undemandingly applicable book. Some will have ...