Brandon Baptist Tabernacle

Book Reviews

Dr. Brad Bailey & Brandon Baptist Tabernacle believe that the King James Version of the Bible is God's preserved Word. By recommending these books, we do not endorse all of them as 100% doctrinally accurate, especially on the authority of the Bible. You will notice that books that do not use the KJV in the following list rarely receive a perfect 10.  We are practicing the rule of "eating the meat, and spitting out the bones" and hope you will do the same. Books are often added, so check back regularly.  The books are graded on a scale of 1 to 10 at the end of the comments with 10 being the best, and are placed in alphabetical order.

  • A Survey of Israel's History by Leon J. Wood - 6.5
  • Abraham: Bible Biography Series # 9 by John G. Butler - 7.5
  • All the Women of the Bible by Herbert Lockyer - 5
  • All About the Church Music Director by Wally & Winifred Beebe - well written and very informative and always a plus: King James Version Texts - 8
  • America In Crimson Red by James R. Beller - 9.5
  • Antagonists in the Church by Kenneth C. Haugk - this book is evidently well planned and gives solutions to church conflict, I recommend it highly - 8.5
  • Archaeology & the New Testament by John McRay - a valuable resource for those of us who do not have the advantage of hands-on archaeological survey sites - 8
  • A Story of Grace - Journeying Through Ruth by R. Craig Burcham - Independent Baptist writers are few, but the ones who try get high marks in my book - 8.5
  • Bad Girls of the Bible by Liz Curtis Higgs - a little tasteless for a Christian publication - 6
  • Biblical Counseling - by Dr. John MacArthur and Wayne A. Mack - a great tool for counseling pastors and students of counseling - 8.5
  • Biblical Demonology by Merrill Unger - The greatest book I've read on the spirit world - 9
  • Biblical Preaching by Haddon Robinson - a great textbook for homiletics - 8
  • Bringing Up Boys by Dr. James Dobson - 9.5
  • Bringing Up Girls by Dr. James Dobson - 8
  • Can God Bless America? by Dr. John MacArthur - 6
  • Character by Dr. Jeff Owens - 8
  • Charismatic Chaos by Dr. John MacArthur - Great resource, biblical and effective for destroying the arguments of the charismatic movement - 8.5
  • Christianity In Crisis by Hank Hanegraaff - 7.5
  • Church History, An Introduction to Research, Reference, Works and Methods by James f. Bradley and Richard A. Muller - this book is a great tool for the academic who is interested in leacturing, teaching and administrating a school or classroom - 7
  • Church Split by Roy Branson - can't agree with everything in this book, but it is a must read for every pastor -9
  • Classical Apologetics by R.C. Sproul, John Gerstner and Arthur Lindsley - the book was assigned to me as a textbook in seminary and I admit that I enjoyed it more than most textbooks.  It is indeed academic, and should be read as such - 8.75
  • Could Jesus Sin? by Dr. Clarence Sexton - after reading Dr. Sexton's book it is clear Jesus could not sin - 8.5
  • Dispensational Truth by Clarence Larkin - a classic study tool, the charts are priceless - 9
  • Daniel: Bible Biography Series # 21 - John G. Butler - 7.5
  • David: A Story of Passion and Destiny by Charles R. Swindoll - 6.5
  • End Times - by John F. Walvoord - Excellent concepts and insights on eschatology - 8.5
  • Elemental Theology by Emery H. Bancroft - 7
  • Elijah: A Man of Heroism and Humility by Charles R. Swindoll - 8.5
  • E.M. Bounds by Darrel D. King - a small valume, but very well written with surprising contents about this great men of faith - 9
  • Escape the Coming Night by Dr. David Jeremiah - 7
  • Esther: A Woman of Strength and Dignity - 7.5
  • Exploring the World of the Jew by John Phillips - excellent reference tool for students of Jewish history - 7
  • Exploring the Epistle of Galatians by Dr. John Phillips - as always, Dr. Phillips provides a concise and excellent outline accompanied by content that is useful and insightful - 9
  • Failing Forward by John Maxwell - a tremendous asset to any leader - 9
  • Final Authority by Dr. Bill Grady - scholastic, technical, but thorough, you will never look at your King James Version the same again - 8
  • Fresh Wind, Fresh Fire by Jim Cymbala - this is one of the most ministry changingbook I've ever read - 9
  • God In The Manger by Dr. John MacArthur - great Christmas insights, reveling historical input on Christimas - 7.5
  • God Meant It For Good by R. T. Kendall - 7.5
  • God's Eye View by Tommy Tenney - good truths, but it reeks of liberalism - 5
  • Handbook of Grammar & Composition by James A. Chapman - 8
  • Hand Me Another Brick by Charles R. Swindoll - a great commentary on Nehemiah - 8.5
  • Healing Prayer by Dr. Reginald Cherry, M.D. - 3
  • Heaven on Earth by Dr. David Jeremiah - Dr. Jeremiah makes great sense out of the book of Ecclesiastes, a difficult task - 8
  • Holy Bible - King James Version by God the Father & God the Son with God the Holy Spirit - sensible, practical, exhaustive, alive, inspired, preserved, inerrant, infallible, life-changing, refreshing, authoritative, accurate, dynamic, unambiguous, # 1 Best-Seller ever - 10
  • How To Get the Most Out Of God's Word by Dr. John MacArthur - 6
  • How to Listen to God by Charles Stanley - 5.5
  • I Am A Church Member by Thom S. Rainer - a brief, but well written book for the average church member - 6
  • I Isaac Take Thee Rebekah by Dr. Ravi Zaharias - 6
  • Inerrancy Edited by Normal L. Geisler - this book was intended to bring a wide variety of religious and denominational views together on the subject and that is exactly what it did.  There are both instructive sections, but also destructive teachings that are not true to the title - 6
  • In the Name of Satan by Bob Larson - a diffinitive call-out to the rock-n-roll music industry - 6.5
  • Isaac: Bible Biography Series # 25 - John G. Butler - 7
  • I Was Wrong - Jim Bakker - good lessons to learn as a warning for any preacher - 4
  • I Will Build My Church by Dr. Thomas M. Strouse - 6
  • Jacob: Bible Biography Series # 17 - John G. Butler - 7
  • Jesus Christ: His Diciples - John G. Butler - 8.5
  • Job: A Man of Heroic Endurance by Charles R. Swindoll - an inspiring writing - 8.5
  • John The Baptist: Bible Biography Series # 7 - John G. Butler - 7.5
  • Joseph: A Man of Integrity and Forgiveness by Charles R. Swindoll - Joseph's forgiveness is admirable and the book is well written - 8.5
  • Joshua: Bible Biography Series # 13 - John G. Butler - 7.5
  • Kingdom Life by Dr. John MacArthur - one of MacArthur's early writings, a good study tool on the beatitudes - 6
  • Lectures in Systematic Theology by Henry Clarence Thiessen - good to have in any reference library - 7
  • Lot: Bible Biography Series # 10 - John G. Butler - if thre was ever a believer that we could be angry with it is Lot - 7.5
  • Love Letters In The Sand by Dr. Bob Gray - Dr. Gray is a proven sermonizer and outliner - 7.5
  • Mad Mary by Liz Curtis Higgs - 4
  • More Than One by Dr. Terri M Clarke, M.D. - an excellent resource for the student of psychology and counseling - 6
  • Moses: A Man of Selfless Determination - Dr. Churck Swindoll - Swindoll's applications are always on point, one of my favorite writers - 8.5
  • My Heart's Desire by Dr. David Jeremiah - this book takes a simple but excellent look at the subject of worship, the way God sees it - 6.5
  • Nehemiah: Bible Bioghraphy Series # 16 by John G. Butler - 7
  • Our Awesome God by Dr. John MacArthur - great resource and full of usable information - 7.5
  • Peoples of the Old Testament World edited by Alfred J. Hoerth, Geral l. Mattingly, Edwin M. Yamauchi - written in typical textbook style and content, a very technical tough read for the undisciplined - 5
  • Power Through Prayer by E.M. Bounds - 9.5
  • Prayer the Great Adventure by Dr. David Jeremiah - wonderful insights, clear and intelligently written, I read the book twice, more thoroughly the second time and I like it - 7.5
  • Principles of Biblical Hermeneutics by J. Edwin Hartill - 8
  • Really Bad Girls of the Bible by Liz Curtis Higgs - 6
  • Reviewing Missionary Techniques by Dr. Donnie Whitlock - I appreciate the depth of the writing, and the fact that Dr. Whitlock understands the need to be a King James only author - 8.5
  • Ruth: Bible Biography Series # 20 by John G. Butler - 8
  • Safe In The Arms of God by Dr. John MacArthur - an insightful little book that helps those grieving over the death of a child or infant - 8.5
  • Searching For Heaven on Earth by Dr. David Jeremiah - a good look at the difficult book of Ecclesiasties - 7
  • Successful Christian Parenting by Dr. John MacArthur - 7
  • The 21 Irrefutable Laws of Leadership by John Maxwell - a priceless tool for leaders - 9.5
  • The Battle For The Beginning - by Dr. John MacArthur - well written, concise, convincing, but not loyal to the KJV - 8.5
  • The Bible, the Saint & the Liquor Industry - by Jim McGuiggan - a well researched volume, but my 1977 edition was deninitely outdated in stats - 7
  • The Chemistry of Separation by Dr. Dennis Corle - 8
  • The Christian Counselor's Manual by Jay Adams - 8.5
  • The Church by Dr. Harold B. Sightler - 7.5
  • The Darkness and the Dawn by Charles R. Swindoll - excellent timeline on the time surrounding the crucifixion - 9
  • The DaVinci Code by Dan Brown - well written from a secular standpoint, but, as a believer, you will need 3 blood pressure pills and  a bottle of antacid to finish it without a stroke or an ulcer - there is blasphemy in every chapter of this book - 0
  • The Dead Sea Scrolls Today by James C. VanderKam - well written, an enjoyable book if you love archaeology - 7.5
  • The Divorce Myth by J. Carl Laney - finally a clearly written thesis on the controversial issue of divorce that does not depart from the Scriptures - 8.5
  • The Exceptional Man by M.S. Shifflett - the failure of manhood is an epidemic that Pastor Shifflett addresses well - 9
  • The Fulfilled Family by Dr. John MacArthur - 8
  • The Genesis Record by Dr. Henry Morris - a great commentary on Genesis, the expertise of Dr. Morris is of great value on creation week and the Flood especially - 9
  • The God Who Loves by Dr. John MacArthur - this book dabbles in Calvinism, but it is well written and insightful - 7
  • The Gospel According to Jesus by Dr. John MacArthur - 8
  • The Heart of the Bible by Dr. John MacArthur - sections of this book deny the plenary inspiration of God's Word the KJV, read with caution - 4
  • The Home: America's Number One Problem by Dr. Stinnett Ballew - 9.5
  • The Home: Courtship, Marriage & Children by Dr. John R. Rice - 3
  • The Hyles Church Manual by Dr. Jack Hyles - abundant information that is needful for church administration and policy, but some that is irrelavent to smaller congregations - 6
  • The Kingdom of the Cults by Walter Martin - greatest accumulation of argumentative information available for debating cult theology - 7.5
  • The King James Version Defended by Dr. Edward F. Hills - excellent effort at writing, I think Dr. Hills is a thorough student of the subject and worth reading after, but he seems to miss the point on some matters of preservation - 8
  • The Language of the King James Bible by Gail Riplinger - wow, a surprising built in dictionary in our Bible - 9.5
  • The Mystery of God's Will by Charles R. Swindoll - 6.5
  • The Perils of Power by Richard Exeley - 8
  • The Rapture by Dr. Tim LaHaye - the greatest single volume proving the validity of the Pre-Tribulation Rapture I have ever read - 9
  • The Remarkable Journey of Jonah by Dr. Henry Morris - as ususal, Dr. Morris offers insights that are uncommon and well written - 8
  • The Spirit Controlled Temperament by Dr. Tim LaHaye - read it, taught it in Sunday School, will read it again - 8.5
  • The Spirit World by Clarence Larkin - 5
  • The Tabernacle by M.R. DeHaan - 7.5
  • The Teenage Years of Jesus Christ by Jerry L. Ross - a must read for Sunday School teachers, youth workers and especially great  for parents of teenagers - 7
  • The Temple by Alfred Edersheim - Edersheim will always be a classic source of great truths - 8.5
  • The Ten Offenses by Pat Robertson - a little too political for my taste, not enough exposition of the commandments - 5
  • The Total Money Makeover by Dave Ramsey - great financial concepts, biblical and full of common sense - 8.5
  • The Vanishing Conscience by Dr. John MacArthur - insightful and truthful - 8.5
  • The Works of Josephus by Flavius Josephus - An informative and accurate account of valuable Jewish history.  The volume contains a wealth of information that supports the record of Scripture and assists the student in understading the context of the society in which the Jews lived - 9
  • Things That Are Different Are Not The Same by Dr. Mickey Carter - 7
  • Thirteen Steps to Armageddon by Dr. Harold B. Sightler - 8
  • To Train Up A Child by Michael & Debi Pearl - a must for couples with children - 8
  • Tony Evans Speaks Out On Gambling & The Lottery by Dr. Tony Evans - 5.5
  • Tortured For Christ by. Richard Wurmbrand - compelling and persuasive content, an eye-opener - 9
  • Touching Heaven by Dr. Lee Roberson - 7.5
  • Twelve Extraordinary Women by Dr. John MacArthur - I character studies, this book was helpful - 8
  • Twelve Ordinary Men by Dr. John MacArthur - great tool for character studies on the Disciples, maybe the best I've read, disappointing multiple version use - 8.5
  • What Hath God Wrought! by Dr. Bill Grady - 10
  • What If America Were A Christian Nation Again by D. James Kennedy with Jerry Newcombe - American history as it should be taught - 7.5
  • What If Jesus Had Never Been Born by D. James Kennedy with Jerry Newcombe - 7.5
  • What Love Is This? by Dave Hunt - If you can read this book and remain a fatalist, you are beyond hope - 9.5
  • What The Bible Says About Angels by  Dr. David Jeremiah - balanced and truthful book - 7
  • Which Bible edited by Dr. David Otis Fuller, D.D. - One of the most helpful resources on understanding the great heritage of the King James Version of the Bible - 8.5
  • Whose Money Is It Anyway? by Dr. John MacArthur - 6.5
  • Why Revival Tarries by Leonard Ravenhill - read it again and again and you will never regret it - 9.5
  • Your Eternal Reward by Dr. Erwin Lutzer - The Judgment Seat of Christ is made alive in this great book - 8.5
  • 12 Ways Your Phone is Changing You by Tony Reinke - Practical, useful, insightful - I recommend it to any church leader - 8.5