A Call to Resurgence - Mark Driscoll

Will Christianity have a funeral or a future? Mark Driscoll this isn't time to wait or debate, it's time to wake up and get to work. Join the Resurgence.Author states "the aim of this book is to examine the implications of various theological concepts as they work together." A recommended reading list is thirteen pages long.
Pastor Mark Driscoll is founder of Mars Hill Church in Seattle, Washington.  Despite all the recent controversy concerning plagerism, the author makes some valid points in 7 chapters  of this book, plus an appendix on what he calls tribal history and movements. Only he and God can really know the truth, and all we have to go on is what he says directly.
  He calls the different theological views, "tribes" and explains the differences quite clearly between Calvinist and Arminian, complementarian and egalitarian, and Continuationist and Cessationist. These are terms that you do not hear defined too often, but need to be. He asks the question  " Is you tribe a prison or a home?" The author states that "God is still working, but many believers just don't get it." The author has appeared on TV shows such as The View, Piers Morgan Tonight, and Nightline. You have to admire someone who would defend Christianity on such shows.
I enjoyed this book and his straightforward approach to what is wrong with Christianity in American culture today.  You may not agree with his theology totally, but you have to admire his honesty.

The Happiest Life - Hugh Hewitt

Seven gifts, seven givers & the secret to genuine success. I have always though Hugh Hewitt as an interesting author.  I have read two of his other books, The Embarrassed Christian and In, Not Of, and was anxious to read this one.  The Happiest Life is about Seven Gifts, encouragement, energy, enthusiasm, empathy, good humor, graciousness, and gratitude. And about the seven givers, spouse, parent, family members, friends, coworker, teacher and the church.  There is also a chapter on The Greatest Giver, Jesus.  First chapter starts on The Precondition of Generosity.  This is needed for giving all of the other gifts. The author uses his own life experience and biography to mention people in his life who have given these gifts to him, and ones he has given to others.  Each chapter starts with a verse fro the Bible, and I have no doubt that he is writing from a Christian perspective.  It is hard to narrow down his specific denomination, as he describes himself as a "a layer-cake Christian." and "an Evangelical Roman Catholic Presbyterian," who mentions going to church and to Mass.  Websites available are www.hughhewitt.com, hughniverse.com, and facebook.com/hughhewittshow.  Mr. Hewitt is also a professor of law at Chapman University Law School, and a lawyer in private practice, and a graduate of Hravard.  Some Christians may be suprised to know he has interviewed Richard Dawkins and didn't wind up in a heated debate.  He has also written an e-book Talking With Pagans that looks interesting.  He does mention D. L. Moody and says "The Gospel is the measuring stick of all humanity."
I found this book to be an interesting read, and I always like to learn from people that are smarter than me.
This book is also well indexed, so something can be found easily for reference.