Living the Resurrection, Eugene Peterson, Navpress

Eugene Peterson's writing always has that surprise factor. This volume on living in light of the resurrection is no exception. This is a short volume - just three chapters and then a long appendix on the text from the Message on the resurrection passages. The three chapters each have that usual Peterson twist and each page has that ability to make you stop and read a paragraph again because you simply never thought of it like that before. This is not a major study on the resurrection by any means but a useful thought provoking angle on familiar topics and tying them in to the resurrection eg. work, Sabbath keeping, Lord's Supper and baptism.
Worth a read if you are doing some thinking about the significance of the resurrection but not that valuable if your book shelf on the resurrection is to be limited to one or two volumes.

Lifted - Experiencing the Resurrection, Sam Allberry

Well yes I was - lifted. Decided to do a bit of reading around the resurrection over the past few months. Nothing too heavy at the start - just wanted my heart warmed and my soul stirred to deeper devotion for the Lord Jesus. And that is exactly what I found when reading and pondering this excellent book on the resurrection by Sam Allberry.
This 142 page book punches well above its weight. After a short introduction on the facts surrounding the resurrection the writer has four chapters: Assurance, transformation, hope and mission. Each chapter includes a well thought out exposition and application of one or several portions of Scripture. The writer has some wonderful turns of phrase. It is heart warming, soul satisfying and stirring. He is keen that the doctrine of the resurrection does what God intended it to do - ignite our lives. My favourite chapter was the third one entitled - Hope. In this chapter he deals with the physical resurrection of our bodies. Anyone wishing to raise their spiritual temperature a few degrees would do well to read this little gem. Here is a super paragraph to whet your appetite.
"The resurrection demonstrates who Jesus is. It is not meant to be just some mega-miracle, or trump card for the existence of God. It speaks powerfully of the identity of Jesus. We can be assured that he is exactly who he claimed to be. And because of that same resurrection, we can also be assured that he achieved in his death exactly what he said he would--we can be assured of our salvation." pg. 34

Scandalous, D.A. Carson

This recent publication by IVP comprises of five addresses that the writer gave at a Resurgence conference at Mars Hill, Seattle. They focus on the cross and the resurrection:
1. The ironies of the Cross (Matthew 27v27-51a
2. The whole centre of the Bible (Romans 3v21-26)
3. The strange triumph of a slaughtered lamb (Revelation 12)
4. A miracle full of surprises (John 11)
5. Doubting the resurrection (John 20v24-31)
Each of these chapters is clearly subdivided, presumably with the headings that the writer used in his preaching. Each chapter contains the usual exegetical depth that one is used to with Dr. Carson. Each chapter is a wonderful blend of sound detailed explanation of the text with warm hearted stirring application.
This volume would make a useful help for daily devotions and at the same time provide good help for those preaching on any of these passages.